Conveyer



Nmg. 3, 1931. v R. H. Fox 1,830,023

coNvEYER Filed oct; '7, 1927 5 sheets-sheet Nov. 3, 1931.

R. H. FOX 1,830,023

GONVEYER Filed Oct. '7, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ff-. i By @www ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 3, Y193,1

UNITED STATES :PATENT OFFICE# RUDOLPH HQ rox, or DENVER, COLORADO, AssieNoR To THE VULOAN `IRoNA WORKS COMPANY, A CORPORATION or OODORADO y cpoNv-RYER This invention relates tol conveyers o f the :so-called jigging or shaking type in which a reciprocating trough moves its load to the point of discharge by a slow forward and a comparatively rapid return stroke. In conveyers of this type, advantage is taken of the difference in value between the friction coefficient of rest and friction coeiicient of sliding; where the forward movement is of accelerating character, and of maximum value and duration but not sufficient .to disturb the friction coefficient of rest, a-nd whereby a. maximum amount of kinetic energy 1s stored in the material to be expended upon the reversal of the movement of the conveyer.

The invention relates more particularlv to self-loading conveyers of the above describedV character in which the shovel at the rear end ofthe conveyer is propelled into the material during the backward stroke of the conveyer and carries the loose material with it on the forward stroke. The shovel is advanced into the material at the rearward stroke of the conveyer by varying its position with respect to the conveyer during the forward stroke.

This result is accomplished by disengaging the loading section of the conveyer so that this remains stationary in the material during the forward stroke of the conveyer itself and maintaining the connection against relative movement on the return stroke. y

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, practical and highly eilioient adjustment by which the loading section of the conveyer may be disengaged from movement with the main section of the conveyer in one or the other direction onlyand be positively vconnected at all times in the opposite direction `and have this controlled with a minimum of effort at the will of the operator.

Another object of this invention is to `provide in association with an adjustment of the type above referred to, an auxiliarymeans for advancing the shovel sect-ion by positively applied power, should the load on the shovel section be inadequate to perform the required function of its advancing or retreating movement.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a mechanism in association with aAmeansfOr advancing the shovel section by applied power, which will cause the operation of said means automatically by the reciprocating action of the conveyer.

A further object is to provide for the adjustment of the shovel section to variant angles with relation to the body part of the conveyer, and still other 'objects of theinvention reside in details of construction and novel arrangements and combinations of parts as will clearly appear in the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings in the several views of which like parts have been correspondingly designated,

Figure l represents a plan view of a jigging conveyer equipped with a contrivance for the relative adjustment of its shovel section, in accordance with my invention,

Figure 2, a partially sectional side elevation of the conveyor shown in Figure l, Figure 3, a cross section of the conveyer taken on the line 3 3, Figure 1, and drawn to an enlarged scale,

Figure 4, a vertical section along the line 4-4, Figure 3,

, Figure 5, a horizontal section in the plane indicated by the line 5 5, Figure 3,

Figure 6, a section taken on the line 6-6, Figure 3,

Figure 7 a side view of the parts shown in Figure 4, showing the adjustment in an operative position,

Figure 8, a fragmentary plan view of an end portion of the conveyer, illustrating the means for imparting a positive relative motion to the shovel section of the same, and

Figure 9, a side elevation of the construction illustrated in Figure 8, to which has Cil been added the appliance for the automatic operation of the positive feed element by the movement of the conveyer.

The conveyer is as usual made in the form of a long chute 5 composed of a series of rigidly interconnected trough-shaped sections. By this construction the conveyer is readily lengthened or shortened, or collapsed for transportation or removal.

The chute is supported for reciprocation upon balls or rollers 6 supported in cradles 7 and engaging with tracks 8 fastened on the sections of the conveyer. ln conveyers composed of a series` of sections, each section may be thus supported on cradles and tracks placed in longitudinal alinement.

The ball cradles are mounted on a foundation plate 9 supported on the ground, and springs 10 hold the conveyer to the relatively stationary foundation. Y

It is to be understood that other methods of supportingr the conveyer, or of suspending the same if so desired, may be provided in accordance with different locations or varying conditions. The operation of the conveyer is dependent on a slow forward and comparatively rapid rearward reciprocating motion and this movement may be imparted to any one section of the conveyer by instrumentality of a motor or engine of any suitable type. y

In Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings' has been shown an air drive unit 50, the operative velement of which is connected with the'. chute by means of rods 12. `The drive unit is adapted to impart to the conveyer the special reciprocating action required in its operation, and inasmuch as the unit per se is not a part 'of the invention, further detailed description of its character and construction is unnecessary.

The self-loading element of the machine comprises a section 13 conforming cross-sectionally with the section 14 at the rear end of the chute and supported thereon for lengthwise sliding motion. The end section lll of the conveyer is to this end provided 'with longitudinal slide plates 15 fastened upon its laterally projecting iianges 1G and the loading section has correspondingly positioned plate shoes 17 that rest upon the plates for relative sliding motion.

lThe loading section has at its end rearward with relation to the discharging motion of the conveyer, a flaring shovel 18 to enter into the mass of the material to be transported by movement of the conveyer, to thepoint of vvdischarge at the opposite forward end thereof. V Clips 19 fastened to the supporting sections embrace the engaging plates of the two sections to hold the shovel section against upward and lateral displacement.

It ispreferred to connect the end section 14 of the conveyer to the next forward section by means of pivot joints 2O so that the section and the therein nesting loading section 13 may be adjusted to engage the mass of material at different elevations, as indicated in broken lines in Figure Q.

The reciprocating conveyer has, stated before, a slow forward stroke and a comparatively rapid rearward stroke, so that the chute is so to speak drawn from under the material in a comparative condition of rest, during rearward movement of the conveyer, and the material is in consequence moved intermittently forwardly during the slower forward stroke and discharged across the forward end of the conveyer.

The shovel section is driven into the mass of material on the rearward stroke of the conveyer, by its connection with the end scction on which it is supported, but in order to subsequently further advance the shovel into the material, it is disconnected from the supporting section so that it may remain in place during the next forward movement of the conveyer.

Under ordinary conditions the shovel seetion is held in place during forward motion of thev conveyer, by the weight of its load, augmented if necessary by the weight of the operator, but it may also be advanced with respect to the section on which it is supported, 'by mechanically applied power as will hereinafter be described.

The mechanism for controlling the connection of the shovel section with the section that supports the same, comprises a frame 21 rigidly fastened on the lower section in transverse relation thereto and carrying upwardly extending plates 22 at opposite sides of the two sections, reenforced by angle bars Fastened upon the inner surfaces of the plates above the plate shoes of the sliding section, 'are housings 24 for the elements which by a. wedging action upon the engaging plate lock the sections against relative movement.

The elements consist of wedge blocks 25 fastened in the housings by bolts 26 and having divergingly slanting faces opposite the shoe plates 17 of the loading section. Spherical wedge members 27 engage between the slanting surfaces of the wedge blocks and the respectiveY shoe plates and coil springs 28 between the wedge members and abutments 29 at the ends of the respective housings yieldingly hold the members in the position in which they press the plate shoes of the loading section into frictional contact with the respective slide plates of the supporting section.

y Rods 3() support the springs and may serve as stops to limit the movement of the balls 27 Fulcrumed on the plates in a plane intermediate of the above-described locking elements, is a lever 31 of inverted U-shaped form, which at the extremities of its parallel arms 82, carries cross bars 33 to disengage the balls from the respective wedges by pushing engagement therewith. i

A key 34 pivoted on the lever as at 35, co-

operates with a notched segment 36 on one of the supporting plates of the frame to lock the lever in its normal inoperative position. It will be observed by reference to Figure 4f that when the lever is in this position the balls -are held in engagement with the respective wedges by their respectivesprings and conjointly lock the shovel section on the section upon which it is supported, by pressing the plate shoes of the upper section against the slide plates of the lower one.

When it is desired to advance the loading section into the mass of material, the ball at the forward side of the lever ismoved away from the respective wedge by pulling the lever rearwardly. This will permit the conveyer inclusive of its end section, to move forward while the shovel section remains at rest, provided of course that the load on the section is of sufcient weight to prevent the section from following the movement of the conveyer.

Referring more specifically-to Figure l1, when the balls are in the position shown, the sections 13 and 14 are locked and move together in both directions. lVhen the lever 31 is moved to the left, the ball to the right is released, as'shown in Figure 7. With the right-hand ball in such position, the shoe plate 17 may move to the left in Figure 7,

independently ofthe slide plate 15, becauseA there is nothing to prevent such movement. However, in the position shown in Figure 7, the shoe plate 17 cannot move to the right because this movement would cause the lefthand ball to be wedged between its block'and the opposed shoe plate and thereby prevent further movement of the plate 17 to the right. hen the movement of the lever 31 is to the right, the situation is just the reverse, and in such case -the shoe plates 17 are free to move vto the right, but are locked against movement to the left `by the right-hand ball.

Upon the return movement of the conveyer. theshovel section in its adjusted position is again locked in place by the rearward ball on the end sect-ion of the same to further advance into the material. i f

If it is desired to move the loading section forward upon its supporting section movement of the conveyer, the rearward ball is released from contact with its inclined surface prior to the rearward stroke of the chute, and the end section is moved rearwardly beneath the relatively stationary shovel section during rearward movement ofthe conveyer.

It is a distinctive feature of the present invention that the lever may be pulled for adjustment of the loading section atany time during the movement of the conveyer in either direction. One ofthe balls is always will of the operator. However, it may under engaged and thereby provides a lock in the movement of the conveyer in one direction and permits it to slip in the other direction. It follows that one ball can be held in release continuously during several strokes of the conveyer in which case the feed will be progressive, or the ball may be released fromits inclined surface and reengaged during oneV single stroke so that the relative movement of the loading section as compared to the conveyer may be only a fraction of the length of the entire stroke. Y

It will be apparent that the adjustment of the loading` section relative to its supporting section, in either direction, is measured by the length of the corresponding stroke of the conveyer, multiplied by the number of strokes during which one or the other of the balls is released by movement ofthe lever. When the lever is in its neutral position both balls are in engagement with their inclined surfaces, and a positive lock in both directions is insured by the wedging action of the balls u pon the frictionally engaging slide plates of the shovel section and theend section of the conveyer. Cylinders instead of balls will obviously perform the same function.

In case the weight on the shovel section is not suflicient to prevent its movement with the conveyer or when the lock which normally secures the section `upon the conveyeiyis released, av positive power means must be provided to move the shovel section relative to the section on which it is supported, during the strokes of the conveyer. A simple contrivance suitable for this purpose has been illustrated in Figure 8 of t-he drawings. The plate shoes of the shovel section 'have in this form of the invention, series of equidistantly spaced apertures 37 to provide racks which cooperate with detents 38 pivotally supported on a cross shaft 39 above the section, which is connected with a pair of rocker arms l() and 41 fulcrumed upon the sides of the end section of the conveyer.

One of the arms 41 is extended to provide an operating lever 42, and the detents which engage the respective lracks by gravity are double pointed and reversible so that by manipulation of the lever at the proper time, the shovel section may b-e adjust-ed relative to its supportingsection in either direction.

It is to be understood that the feed element is cooperative with the lock element hereinbefore described and that the operation of the lever 42 must be accompanied by adjustment of the lever 31 in one direction or the other. Ordinarily the lever l2 is moved by hand to adjust the loading section at the certain conditions be advantageous to feed the loading section automatically and at reg-I ular intervals during the operation of the machine'and this result may be readily accomplished by connecting the rocker lever by means of a rod i3 with a fixe-d part of the machine as for example the foundation plate 9, as illustrated in Figure 9.

ln the operation of the machine, the shovel section digging into the mass of material during the rearward stroke of the conveyer, automatically loads the conveyer at the rear end thereof and the load is gradually moved to the point of discharge at the front end of the conveyer by the differential jigging motion imparted to the convey-er by the mo tor.

rlhe loading section may be adjustci'l to engage the material at dilferent elevations, and the feeding mechanism by which the posit-ion of the loading section relative to the conveyer is adjusted and controlled, is readily operated either by tl e operator r automatically.

rIhe adjustment of the shovel section may be controlled by the load carried on the section or by mechanically applied povfcr and the lock means specifically shown and described are reliable, positive in their action, eliicient under all conditions and not liable to recoil during independent movement of the conveyer with respect to the loading section,

lnasmuch as a disengagement only of the locking means can be accomplished mannally, any kick-back through the lever 3l, is conipletely avoided and in this respect, the presentconstruction differs advant geously f m other locking appliances on self-loading ging conveyors used heretofore The only manual effort for adjustment of the loading section is the disengagement o the section from the conveyer proper and since the engagement is made by sp1 dangers incident to making the ei manual, as in other machines, are e Another advantage resides in that tno present machine has no limitations to feed lengths since the advance or retreat during any one stroke may be equivalent to the stroke length of the conveyer or any part thereof.

lith one unidirectional lock released and the other automatically engaged, the shovel section may be held in place by the weight thereon. while the conveyer proper ,strokes in one direction. lf, therefore, that lock is released which permits forward movement of the conveyor, while the conveyer is stationary, the conveyor proper carries the shovel section with it on the backward stroke and advances it into the ma Jerial. .Vlien, conversely, that lock is released which permits the conveyor propel' to move baclrivaidlv while the shovel section is stationary, the conveyer proper carries the shovel with it on thc forward stroke and the shovel rctreats from the material.

An additional advantage of the locking y. means as shown and described resides in the readily apparent fact that they are self-adjusting.

The slide bars 15 and 17 of the loading section and the supporting section may be bent or displaced in use so that their overall thickness is not constant. The movement of the balls relative to the inclined surfaces with which they engage compensates automatically for any variations due to deformation or irregularities of material.

Having thus described my invention, what claim and desire to s cure by Letters Patent is 1. ln a shovel conveyer of the character described, a digging section normally held on the conveyor against relative movement and slidably adjustable at an end thereof, locking means constructed to release the section for relative movement of the conveyor in one direction, and to hold the section against relative movement of the conveyer in the other direction, and means for adjustment of the section, including a rack, a rocker arm, and a detent on the arm, cooperative With the rack.

2. ln a shovel conveyer of the character described, a digging section normally held on the conveyer against relative movement and slidably adjustable at an end thereof, locking means constructed to release the sect-ion for relative movement of the conveyer in one direction, and to hold the section against relative movement of the conveyer in the other direction, and means for adjustment of the section, including a rack, a rocker arm, and a reversible detent on the arm, cooperative with the rack.

3. ln a shovel conveyer of the character described, a relatively stationary element, a digging section normally fixed on the conveyer and slidably adjustable at an end of the conveyer, locking means adapted to release the section for relative movement of the conveyer in either direction, and means for automatic adjustment of the released section by movement of the conveyer, comprising a feed member on the conveyer and a connection between the feed member and the stationary element.

l. ln a jigging conveyor of the character described, a loading sect-ion slidably adjustable at an end thereof, locking means adapted to release the section for relative movement of the conveyer in either direction, and automatic means for adjustment of the section, comprising a rack on the loading section, a rocker arm on the conveyer, a detcnt on the rocker arm, cooperative with the rack, and a connection between the rocker arm and a stationary element.

5. In a jigging conveyer of the character described, a loading section slidably adjustable at an end thereof, locking means adapted to release the section for relative movement of the conveyer in either direction, and autoya i remesa matic means for adjustment of the section, comprising a rack on the loading section, a rocker arm on the conveyer, a detent on the rocker arm, cooperative With the rack, a stationary foundation element for the conveyer, and a pivoted rod connecting the rocker arm to said element.

6. In a jigging conveyer of the character described, a digging section normally held on the conveyer against relative movement and slidably adjustable at an end thereof, and locking means adapted to release the section for relative motion of the conveyer, and including a member on the conveyer having an inclined surface oppositel a part of the section, a Wedging member engaging said surface and said part, and means to release the member.

7. In a jigging conveyer of the character described, a loading section slidably adjustable at an end thereof, and locking means adapted to release the section for relative motion of the conveyer, and including a member on the conveyer having an inclined surface opposite a part ef the section, a spring-urged Wedging member engaging between said surface and said part, and means to release the member.

8. In a jigging conveyer of the character described, a loading section slidably adjustable at an end thereof, and locking means adapted to release the section for relative motion of the conveyer, and including a member on the conveyer having an inclined surface opposite a part of the section, a rolling Wedging member engaging between said surface and said part, and means to release the mem-y ber. 1 Y 9. In a jigging conveyer of the character described, a loading section slidably adjustable at an end thereof, and locking means adapted to release the section for relative motion of the conveyer, and including ameniber on the conveyer having oppositely slanting` inclined surfaces opposite a part of the section, Wedging members engaging said surfaces and part, and means to selectively release either member from its respective surface.

10. In a jigging conveyer of the character described, a loading section slidably adjustable at an end thereof, and locking means adapted to release the section for relative motion of the conveyer, and including a member on the conveyer having oppositely slanting inclined surfaces opposite a part of the section, Wedging members engaging said surfaces and said part, and a lever adapted to disengage either member from its respective surface.

11. In a jigging conveyer of the character described, a loading section slidably adjustable at an end thereof, and locking means adapted to release the section for relative motion of the conveyer, and including a member on l the V( o'nveyer having an l inclinedV surface opposite a palrtfof the sectionf,'a 'wedging member engaging said surface andsaid part, and a lever yadaptedv tol disengagethe member from Ith`esu'rface.k -v l I v P -12. vIn ajiggi-ngconveyerof 'the ,characterv described, a loading sectioii-slida'bl'y adj ustable at an Vend thereoftand locking-means adapted to release) the section for relative motion of the conveyer, and including a member on the conveyer having an inclined surface opposite a part of the section, a Wedging member engaging said surface and said part, a lever adapted to disengage the member from the surface, and a stop limiting the movement of the member.

13. The combination with a stationary element, of a conveyer having a relative jigging motion, a separately movable loading section at an end of the conveyer, and means operatively connected to the stationary element to effect a mov-ement of the loading section relative to the conveyer, by movement of the conveyer relative to the stationary element.

14. In a shovel conveyer of the character described, a digging section normally held on the conveyer against relative movement and slidably adjustable at an end thereof, automatically maintained locking means constructed to release the section for relative movement of the conveyer in onev direction, and to hold the section against relative movement of the conveyer in the other direction, and manual means for releasing the locking means.

15. In a shovel conveyer of the character described, ardigging section normally held on the conveyer against relative movement and slidably adjustable at an end thereof, automatically maintained locking means constructed to release the section for relative movement of the conveyer in one direction, and to hold the section against relative movekment of the conveyer in the other direction,

and manual means for releasing the locking means, during any selected period in the operation of the conveyer.

16. In a jigging conveyer, a loading section slidably adjustable at an end thereof, automatically maintained unidirectional locks for movement of the section, and the conveyer, in unison, and means for releasing either lock for separate movement of the conveyer in one direction.

17. In a jigging conveyer, a digging section normally held on the conveyer against relative movement and slidably adjustable at an end thereof, an automatically maintained lock for movement of the section and the conveyer in unison, and means to release the lock for separate relative motion of the conveyer in one direction only.

18. In a reciprocating conveyer of the character described, a loading section slidably adjustable at an end thereof, and locking aai the

means constantly securing the section for movement with the conveyer in one direction, while releasing the section for movement re1- a-tive to the conveyer n the other direction and adapted to secure the section for movement with the conveyer in both directions. A In testimony whereof I have aixed'my Signature.

RUDOLPH H. FOX. 

